Hultgren: Congress shouldn't get paid until budget passes

Congressman Randy Hultgren has re-introduced legislation that would require Congress to pass a budget in order to get paid.
The Winfield Republican's legislation - backed by House Republican leaders - comes as the Democratic controlled Senate has not passed a budget since 2010.
The country's $16.4 trillion debt ceiling is expected to be reached by early March. House Republicans last week signaled that they would vote to raise the debt limit for three months and, at the same time, drop their demand that any increase in the government's borrowing power be matched in spending cuts.
But Republicans said they would require the Senate to finally pass a budget that could include spending reductions as well as changes in the tax code.
“We have got to stop using last-minute legislating and short-term fixes," Hultgren said. "The worst thing we can do for the economy, and especially for people running small businesses, is to constantly keep them in limbo about what the government is going to do next. But it’s not enough just to pass a budget- we need one that shows fiscal responsibility in both the short and long term, in the form of spending restraint and a Balanced Budget Amendment so that spending beyond our means ceases to be a habit for our nation’s leaders.”

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Suburban Political Recount

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Mike Riopell covers state government and politics from Springfield, tracking the governor, state lawmakers and courts in the state capital.

Riopell previously worked out of the Daily Herald's Lake County bureau, and is covering his seventh legislative session.

While not blogging, he enjoys cycling, fishing, golfing and home repair. Follow him on Twitter at @DHStatehouse.